Paul Lorigan, popular choral and band director at Horner Junior High School in Fremont, received the equivalent of a ÔsuperiorÕ ranking from his peers, for Òdemonstrated excellence in the field of choral music education.Ó

Dr. Andy Collinsworth, President, California Music Educators (CMEA) Bay Section, informed the school in early January that Mr. Lorigan has been given the Bay Section Outstanding Choral Educator award. CMEA Bay Section annually presents awards to outstanding educators who have been nominated by their peers and confirmed by the Executive Board. The region covers sixteen counties including San Francisco, Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara and Solano.

Mr. Lorigan started his popular Band and Choral program at the junior high in 1997. His students were pleased but not surprised to hear of the award. ÒIÕve had Mr. Lorigan for two years in Advanced Choir. He goes above and beyond for us and makes choir so much fun! I mostly enjoy that we learn something new in every class and each day is a different experience in music,Ó enthused Cathryn Flores. Flores is one of LoriganÕs eighth grade students who, with several classmates, has been invited to participate in the Bay Area Honor Band and Choir this spring.

Upon being notified, the Fremont Unified School District promptly posted their congratulations on the district web site, noting ÒMr. Lorigan is an outstanding educator who has made the Horner Junior High music program into something special and brings honor to our school district!Ó